How to purchase a whiskey gift

When you want to get somebody a whiskey present then you need to prepare to get informed on this fine spirit. Different people appreciate different preferences and when you wish to buy a great Scotch you should first realize the actual subtle nuances of this beverage. Though whiskey was earlier considered to be an old man’s drink today it has morphed into a beverage that is loved the world over by people irrespective of age as well as whisky-yeast gender.

When you choose to give a whiskey gift then you should know something about the present that you are about to give. Knowing how whiskies are created, the different regions where they come from and the delicate nuances of the bottle you have purchased will show your own host the level of your understanding and the thoughtfulness that you’ve put into your purchase.

To start with you should know what a single malt scotch whiskey really is. A single malt Scotch is a type of whiskey which is produced using only a single type of grain. This solitary grain component is malted barley. The second thing is that a single malt will become a single malt Scotch only when it is distilled and aged in Scotland. These types of whiskies also need to be matured in oak casks for a minimum period of three years. Once all of these things are checked off from the list the whiskey is declared a single malt scotch.

There are many varieties of scotch whiskies that you could select from. So what distinguishes one whiskey from the other? One of the major defining factors is the area from which the whiskey is actually produced. Much like the wines producing areas in France, the whiskey producing regions in Scotland are also grouped. The main whiskey generating regions of Scotland are the Highland region, the Lowland region, the Island region, the Islay region and the Speyside region. By far the Speyside region has the biggest number of distilleries. Almost half of Scotland’s distilleries are present in this region. Because of its geographical location Speyside is mixed up with the Highland region but is actually a separate whiskey producing area. You will get rich and heavy sherry flavoured malts as well as light flower more complex malts. A few well-known names from this region are Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Macallan and so on.

The Highland region creates whiskies that are sweet and fruity and also have a gentle dry finish. However these malts are not as sweet as the ones produced in the actual Speyside area. The well-known Glenmorangie originates from this particular area. The Island whiskies have a slight coastal taste to them. The character of these whiskies is slightly peatier but continues to be sweet as well as soft. The particular Talisker is the most well-known single malt from this area.

The Islay malts are the next category of whiskies you’ll want to check out before buying your whiskey gift. The actual whiskies from this area are amongst the most powerful in taste and are well known for their strong peaty smoky taste. These whiskies in many cases are very heavy, have quite a bite and are a good acquired taste.